Lamb heralds spring: You can roast or grill it for holiday or a quick dinner.(Recipe)

Byline: Lisa Abraham

Apr. 4--How can you think spring and not think about lamb? It's the one meat that crosses all religious, cultural and ethnic boundaries.

It's right for Easter and Passover, which both take place this week. (It's also right for Muslim holidays.) A whole roasted leg of lamb is a fancy dinner for a holiday or company, but a grilled lamb chop or steak is also a quick meal for after work. Doug Fulton, executive chef at Akron's West Point Market, said lamb always holds its own in the meat case against beef and pork, due in part to the fact that lamb has become increasingly affordable. With Easter on Sunday, Fulton said, lamb sales are up about 40 percent, and orders actually are ahead of orders for ham this year. "We're way beyond taking orders for lamb over ham, from boneless rolled and tied, bone-in, whole legs, and even lamb chops," he said. West Point Market sells only American lamb, which comes from Colorado. At Acme Fresh Markets, the lamb comes from Pennsylvania. Acme Meat Merchandiser Mike Haught said he believes there is a major taste difference between American lamb and imported meat from New Zealand or Australia, which is prevalent in the United States. He believes customers appreciate the taste and freshness of American-raised lamb. Fulton said West Point is in the midst of…